Which OS to use for my specific specs?

[matgas14]

Searching for optimal OS for my specs and primarily for gaming purposes (I'm getting off windows).

My laptop specs:
Acer Nitro 5
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-8300H CPU @ 2.30GHz, 2304 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 8 Logical Processor(s)
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 8.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 7.85 GB
Available Physical Memory 2.81 GB
Total Virtual Memory 13.8 GB
Available Virtual Memory 7.18 GB

As far as I've read myself, Ubuntu and Pop_OS are recommended ?

 

[Brickwizard]

All distributions have the same capability of running any application [programs to Windows users] some have been so compiled that they claim to be superior for gaming but I doubt that,
what I would say [and i am not a gamer] you only have 8gb of ram most of which is being used by your windows processes, and 14 gb of virtual memory of which over half is in use, [Linux do not have virtual memory as such, so as a hardware man I would recommend you consider upping the RAM to at least 16 gb or better still 32 GB if your playing hi-def games, we have several gaming addicts who will no doubt pop in with their input, but they are not on every day so please give them time.

 

[CaffeineAddict]

Searching for optimal OS for my specs and primarily for gaming purposes

Distro does not matter for gaming, what matters is cutting edge software that's used for gaming on Linux.
These include:
1.) GPU driver
2.) Wine
3.) Lutris
And other software that you may end up needing to use.

I'm using Debian which is btw. the least recommended for gaming according to some people and according to some sites like the one below, however I make sure to have latest and greatest stuff that's required by games and have no issues with any game out of over 100 I have.

See this site to choose gaming distro if you insist:

Distrochooser

The Distrochooser helps you to find the suitable Linux distribution based on your needs!

distrochooser.de

It asks you series of questions including whether you'll be gaming etc.
Let us know what it suggests you.

 

[matgas14]

I will be upgrading my RAM to 32 gb

Distro does not matter for gaming

The test basically tells me this. The first option listed was openSUSE, but let's say I'd opt in for Pop!_OS?
The test says this:
"Pop!_OS is an Ubuntu-based distribution powered by the GNOME desktop environment customized from System76
Distribution is actively supported by game publishers
Has default settings
The installation uses a installation 'wizard' with default settings
Updates are mostly stable when published
Suitable for daily use
Software installation can be done using an app store
Usable without fee
Installs all needed programs
We cannot recommend this distribution for you because:
Installs a range of programs by default
We cannot recommend this distribution for you because:
Closed source programs are installed by default"

What other hardware info would be helpful to know?
My GPU:
Intel(R) UHD GRaphics 630
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti

 

[CaffeineAddict]

We cannot recommend this distribution for you because:
Installs a range of programs by default
We cannot recommend this distribution for you because:
Closed source programs are installed by default"

This portion is worrying, and I would take this into account, too many defaults and preinstalled software including closed sourced is something I really dislike.

Your hardware is fine except 8GB memory may not be enough for modern games, but should work for older ones.
Nowdays 16GB is minimum.

 

[Brickwizard]

say I'd opt in for Pop!_OS?

BE very careful to test it out extensively first, Pop is produced by system 76 for their own manufactured kit, it is not what many would consider a general distribution, If it runs and installs without issue great, if not it is a pig, and you could spend weeks trying to get it working right.

 

[matgas14]

This is what it tells me for openSUSE:
"openSUSE aims to deliver a stable and user-friendly distribution, mostly for end users
Scope of pre-installed programs is decided by user
There are tutorials for troubleshooting and problem-solving
User has to select the software to use
Requires reading of manuals and tutorials
Has default settings
The installation uses a installation 'wizard' with default settings
Updates are mostly stable when published
Requires reading up in manuals for usage
Suitable for daily use
Software installation can be done using an app store
Usable without fee
Installs all needed programs
We cannot recommend this distribution for you because:
Installs a range of programs by default"

 

[Brickwizard]

SUSE is a German distribution, designed mainly for the EU business market, not one of my favourites but a good distribution all the same

https://www.linux.org/threads/what-is-the-best-linux-distribution-which-should-i-use.43789/

 

[CaffeineAddict]

@matgas14
distrochooser will suggest you 4 or so distros based on your input, do some investigation which to choose.

My best distro is Debian, however for gaming installing up to date drivers and maintaining the installation is not something I would recommend to a newcomer from Windows.

I never used other distros so can't suggest anything specific myself.
But others will share their opinions when they come online.

 

[Tolkem]

What other hardware info would be helpful to know?
My GPU:
Intel(R) UHD GRaphics 630
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti

Since your pc has an Nvidia GPU, I recommend choosing one that has good support for such hardware:
Nobara: https://nobaraproject.org/ --> this one focuses on gaming and comes with everything ready OOTB.
CachyOS: https://cachyos.org/
Pop!_OS: https://pop.system76.com/
EndeavourOS: https://endeavouros.com/

Those above offer Nvidia-ready ISOs, so you don't have to tinker around trying to figure out how to install and update Nvidia drivers. When downloading, pick the one that says "Nvidia".

 

[MikeWalsh]

The only thing I would say in response to @Tolkem is this:-

The one thing that annoys me about distros that auto-set-up Nvidia GPUs for you is quite simple; the assumption is made that IF you have a discrete GPU, then of COURSE you must want that card set-up and used by default.

When I got this Latitude E6430 off eBay last Autumn, I wasn't even aware it had both on-die Intel graphics AND a discrete Nvidia GPU. (The kind of thing that, technically, requires something like "Bumblebee" to be able to manage them the way that YOU want to.....because on a laptop, you can't swap-over the monitor lead like you can with a desktop).

The only other thing is that these 'easy-set-up' distros seem to assume that the newest available driver is ALWAYS the one required. This doesn't work for me; my old Kepler-based GeForce GT 710 - which is perfect for what I want it for! - hasn't been supported for around 18 months or more. The newest driver will just 'bork' the install, requiring a re-install of whatever OS is involved.

No attempt is made to find a 'period'-correct driver that will work; the assumption being that anyone who HAS a discrete GPU will always drop several hundred dollars/pounds simply to KEEP it up-to-date and supported. Easier said than done with a lappie, which invariably means replacing the entire thing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~​

That said, I'd also recommend ZorinOS. Artyom & Kyrill have gone out of their way to make GPU driver installation an absolute breeze.


Mike.

 

[The Duck]

The only thing I would say in response to @Tolkem is this:-

The one thing that annoys me about distros that auto-set-up Nvidia GPUs for you is quite simple; the assumption is made that IF you have a discrete GPU, then of COURSE you must want that card set-up and used by default.

When I got this Latitude E6430 off eBay last Autumn, I wasn't even aware it had both on-die Intel graphics AND a discrete Nvidia GPU. (The kind of thing that, technically, requires something like "Bumblebee" to be able to manage them the way that YOU want to.....because on a laptop, you can't swap-over the monitor lead like you can with a desktop).

The only other thing is that these 'easy-set-up' distros seem to assume that the newest available driver is ALWAYS the one required. This doesn't work for me; my old Kepler-based GeForce GT 710 - which is perfect for what I want it for! - hasn't been supported for around 18 months or more. The newest driver will just 'bork' the install, requiring a re-install of whatever OS is involved.

No attempt is made to find a 'period'-correct driver that will work; the assumption being that anyone who HAS a discrete GPU will always drop several hundred dollars/pounds simply to KEEP it up-to-date and supported. Easier said than done with a lappie, which invariably means replacing the entire thing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~​

That said, I'd also recommend ZorinOS. Artyom & Kyrill have gone out of their way to make GPU driver installation an absolute breeze.


Mike.

I'm not alone and the main reason I run from Nvidia graphics cards when it comes to Linux.

Your Nvidia graphics card may be supported when you buy it and install it but wait a couple of years it won't be.

Can't blame the manufactures totally on this as a few distros as @MikeWalsh said goes out of their way to give support for older Nvidia drivers.

Lets face when it comes to graphics card drivers most open source driver support just plain sucks especially when it is an Nvidia graphics card that is being used.

Not to mention the crapola that Nvidia came out with saying we will provide better support for Nvidia graphics drivers what a crock of BS.

AMD / ATI Radeon gives good support for their graphics cards or leastwise has for mine.

 

[Tolkem]

my old Kepler-based GeForce GT 710

Well, that one is over 10 yrs old, and unfortunately hardware support doesn't last forever (not even in windows). OP has a GTX 1050ti, a little bit (2 yrs) newer. I have a GTX 960, older (1 year) than OP's, and haven't had a problem. Installing Nvidia drivers manually is a PITA, it's improved, but still not the easiest thing to do. You get errors like nouveau has to be disabled, if not that then something else, I gave up trying; too tedious and time-wasting. https://parrotsec.org/docs/configuration/nvidia-drivers/
This is the latest driver https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/drivers/details/237587/ and GTX 960 as well as GTX 1050ti are still supported. GT 710 is not.

Your Nvidia graphics card may be supported when you buy it and install it but wait a couple of years it won't be.

Mine (2015) and OP's (2016) are still supported, they won't be, eventually, but as of now, they are.

Not to mention the crapola that Nvidia came out with saying we will provide better support for Nvidia graphics drivers what a crock of BS.

They recently open-sourced the kernel driver https://www.phoronix.com/news/NVIDIA-R560-Open-Default

 

[The Duck]

Well, that one is over 10 yrs old, and unfortunately hardware support doesn't last forever (not even in windows).

I've got Nvidia graphics cards from my Windows XP days that still have driver support and they are well over 10 plus years old that I use on Flight Simulator 2002 and 2004.

Maybe not for Windows 10 or Windows 11 but I don't use either of those OSs for Flight Simulators.

Guess it depends what a user is willing to do to get their hardware working and if it don't or won't work OOTB I don't need it.

You guys like doing all of that guru stuff not me I install and update and use which is the way it should be.

I don't know I just find Linux and Nvidia together a waste of time which is why I'll keep with AMD / ATI Radeon graphics cards and Intel inside screw Nvidia.

 

[Tolkem]

I've got Nvidia graphics cards from my Windows XP

Yours is a specific "use case scenario". Sure, you can keep on using old hardware as long as it does what you want/need.

still have driver support

It doesn't. It works with the old driver, not newer ones, that's what "still being supported" means.

Maybe not for Windows 10 or Windows 11

Exactly, it's not supported anymore by Nvidia or newer Windows versions.

You guys like doing all of that guru stuff

I'll keep with AMD / ATI Radeon graphics cards and Intel

Whatever works for you is the best option.

 

[MikeWalsh]

@Tolkem :-

TBH, I run with the last supported drivers in Puppy. The 480-series for 64-bit, and the 390-series for 32-bit.

I had to buy my first-ever brand-new rig just before COVID kicked off, in January 2020. The ancient 16-yr old Compaq Presario finally gave up the ghost - dried-out electrolytic caps - so I replaced it with an HP Pavilion desktop, a 590-series. At the same time, I decided to treat myself to my first-ever discrete GPU.

I'm no gamer, and didn't want anything special, but I had two aims. The on-die Intel UHD 610, like all iGPUs, borrowed system RAM for VRAM.....and this thing only came with 4 GB from new. (The fact I've maxed-out at 32 GB now is neither here nor there).

One, I wanted a 'silent' GPU.....a 'passive-cooler'.....for occasional video-rendering (my favourite video-editor, Openshot, will offload rendering to a discrete GPU if it detects one), and by all accounts any discrete GPU would always be better at this than an iGPU. Two, it would have its own 'pool' of dedicated VRAM, leaving me more RAM for what I wanted to do.

Frankly, the 'older' drivers have always done what I wanted of them, and even if things HAD gone 'tits-up', Puppy is very quick & easy to restore from back-up.....typically between 3 to 5 minutes, due to the use of highly-compressed system and 'save'-files.

I'm happy enough with them, since for me, bang up-to-date drivers are NOT a 'must-have'.....given that I'm not interested in the latest & greatest features. Kepler has been around for long enough now that any stability 'issues' have LONG since been resolved.

As you say, it 'works' for me. And that's what it's all about at the end of the day.


Mike.

 

[The Duck]

bang up-to-date drivers are NOT a 'must-have'.....given that I'm not interested in the latest & greatest features.

As you say, it 'works' for me. And that's what it's all about at the end of the day.


Mike.

Exactly.

Me to I don't need the newest and the latest of anything.

I use Easy OS does everything I need and works OOTB don't need nothing else.

 

[The Duck]

View attachment 23708

Love the guru picture.

Whatever works for you is the best option.

That's it.

 

[Tolkem]

I'm not interested in the latest & greatest features

Latest and greatest features are only available on newest hardware anyway, I know my GTX 960 doesn't use/support most of those.

nvidia-smi                                                                                                                                         32
Mon Jan 20 00:29:01 2025     
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| NVIDIA-SMI 565.77                 Driver Version: 565.77         CUDA Version: 12.7     |
|-----------------------------------------+------------------------+----------------------+
| GPU  Name                 Persistence-M | Bus-Id          Disp.A | Volatile Uncorr. ECC |
| Fan  Temp   Perf          Pwr:Usage/Cap |           Memory-Usage | GPU-Util  Compute M. |
|                                         |                        |               MIG M. |
|=========================================+========================+======================|
|   0  NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960         Off |   00000000:09:00.0  On |                  N/A |
|  0%   56C    P0             27W /  128W |     579MiB /   4096MiB |      1%      Default |
|                                         |                        |                  N/A |
+-----------------------------------------+------------------------+----------------------+

for occasional video-rendering

Vulkan and cuda's newer versions/releases, 1.3 and 12.7 respectively, have optimizations that improve those workflows. GT 710 supports vulkan 1.2 and cuda 11.4 with 480-series driver. So those are two "latest and greatest" you might benefit from.
I do video editing too, and plan to upgrade to an RTX GPU, somewhere in the future. Those GPU prices are insane, but some can be found under $200, used (or pre-owned as they label them now) on eBay.

CUDA 12.6 Update 3 Release Notes

The Release Notes for the CUDA Toolkit.

docs.nvidia.com

Vulkan 1.3 and Roadmap 2022

The Vulkan API is under constant development, with an ever-growing pool of extensions to solve problems and add valuable new features. However, extensions typically don't come with a deployment timeline or a guarantee of which devices will support them. As a result, it can be hard for developers...

www.khronos.org

They just released vulkan 1.4 https://www.khronos.org/news/press/...-gpu-accelerated-applications-with-vulkan-1.4